A taste of the wild to return

Following the success of an inaugural festival of foraging in the Forth Valley and Lomond area, organisers are planning an expanded programme for 2020.

Foraging Fortnight took place across Stirling area in September and will return once again next year.

The LEADER-funded festival aims to encourage people of all ages to become more aware of the benefits of wild plants.

Next year’s event will include guided foraging outings, talks, workshops and cookery demonstrations.

Events will take place in five regions across Scotland. As well as across Forth Valley and Lomond, Moray, Lanarkshire, Fife and Orkney will also take part.

Foraging Fortnight saw 18 events taking place across Forth Valley and Lomond, and over 700 people taking part.

Events ranged from fungi foraging sessions at Aberfoyle; mindful wild tea tastings at Balfunning, Mill of Haldane near Balloch and Strathleven House (Dumbarton); medicinal foraging walks at Plean Country Park; and wild pizza making at Gartur Stitch Farm, Port of Menteith.

Restaurants like The Old Mill in Killearn and Monachyle Mhor at Balquhidder got involved with menus offering a taste of the wild.

The festival attracted a visit from Eva Gunnare, a renowned food and culture connoisseur, who travelled from Jokkmokk in Swedish Lapland for the festival to talk at Stirling’s Albert Halls about living off the land.

Foraging Fortnight 2020 is likely to include an even greater range of activities with the return of some popular events. These will include a unique foraged menu at The Old Mill in Killearn and a return of the Scottish Wild Food Festival at Cardross Estate, a day-long event which comprises a series of hands-on foraging activities, mindful workshops, folklore walks throughout the estate, the chance to try freshly prepared food and drink made of wild ingredients, and a spectacular long table lunch. The popular Demo Tent will also return with a programme of fascinating and hands on demonstrations, and interesting ‘talks’ around foraging – all part of the day on Saturday May 9.

Nikki Kenn, Development Officer at Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER said: “These were events that appealed not only to local communities in the area but drew in UK-wide and even international visitors. Of course this is also a wonderful way of showcasing the diverse and beautiful landscape of our region.

“I look forward to revealing the line up for 2020’s Foraging Fortnight in the spring and am sure it will capture the imagination of people locally and beyond.”

The programme for Foraging Fortnight will be released in March 2020.